The Healthiest Holiday Cocktails

’Tis the season for food and family, but it’s also the time of year where holiday cocktails are being passed around.

These drinks are famous for bringing us comfort and joy, but with the comfort and joy comes extra calories, which may not give you a reason to cheer.

If you want to have the joy of having holiday cocktails this season, without worrying about the extra calories, here are some healthier options, courtesy of one of bistroMD’s lead dietitians.

Christmas Means Cranberries - Low-Calorie Cranberry Cosmopolitan

Cranberries are a staple throughout the holiday season, so why not include them in some of your holiday cocktails?

“Cranberries can be a very healthy alternative, compared to other fruits,” says Sarah Hallenberger, one of the lead dietitians for bistroMD. “Cranberries are actually full of antioxidants, which protect cells from free radicals.”

For this holiday season, why not try a low-calorie cranberry cosmopolitan?

You will need:

1/2 cup cranberry liqueur

1/4 cup Cointreau

2 tablespoons lime juice

Mix the above ingredients with 1 cup of crushed ice. Strain into a martini glass, and serve.

Makes two cocktails, but use caution if you are going to have more than one.

Nutrition facts:

For one serving:

Calories: 193

Fat: 0.0grams

Pomegranate Pick-Me-Up

“Pomegranates are rich in vitamin C, B6, and potassium,” says Sarah. “In fact, just one glass of pomegranate juice has the same cancer-fighting polyphenol dose as two glasses of red wine.”

This holiday spin on the pomegranate is sure to make the perfect holiday pick-me-up. It's a sparkling pomegranate cocktail.

You will need:

1 1/2 cups pomegranate juice

1/4 cup of grenadine

1 (750 milliliter) bottle of dry, sparkling wine, chilled

6 lime slices

Combine the pomegranate juice and the 1/4 cup of grenadine in a two cup glass measure. Divide this mixture evenly in 6 champagne flutes or wine glasses.

Top each glass evenly with the sparkling wine. Garnish with lime slices or pomegranate seeds, if desired.

Nutrition facts:

For one serving:

Calories: 164

Fat: 0.0 grams

Joyfully Low-Fat Eggnog

“A typical glass of regular eggnog can contain a ton of calories and fat,” says Sarah. “Typically, just one glass of eggnog could contain up to 435 calories, and about 30 grams of fat.”

This eggnog recipe is a little less calorie-ridden, and a lot more joyful. For just 147 calories, and about 3 grams of fat per half cup, here is an eggnog cocktail that is joyously low fat.

You will need:

3 ½ cups of 1% low-fat milk

1/2 cup fat-free sweetened condensed milk

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon grated whole nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon of salt

2 large egg yolks

1/4 cup of bourbon

2 tablespoons brandy

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine the first five ingredients in a medium sauce pan, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Make sure to constantly stir with a whisk.

Gradually whisk in one-third of hot milk mixture into the egg yolks. Add this yolk mixture to remaining hot milk mixture, and continue to stir with a whisk.

Cover, and let sit over medium-high heat for about one minute, or until the mixture has slightly thickened. Pour this mixture into a pitcher and stir in the bourbon, brandy and vanilla.

Cover the surface of the eggnog with wax paper, and refrigerate at least four hours overnight. Garnish with additional nutmeg, if desired.

Nutrition Facts:

For one serving:

Calories: 147

Fat: 3 grams

1. Prev:How to Stay Party Food Savvy
2. Next:Increase Success by Starting Your New Year’s Resolution Early